The holiday season is a time for togetherness, compassion, and community. For many struggling patients and families in our area, the holidays can present significant financial and emotional challenges. Through the Episcopal Health Services (EHS) Auxiliary Committee’s annual Adopt-a-Family Program, you can bring direct hope, joy, and relief to neighbors who need it most.
What is Adopt-a-Family?
Adopt-a-Family takes place through the holiday season for struggling patients and families. Each year, we work closely with the social workers in the outpatient behavioral health clinics at Episcopal Health Services to identify patients who are in need. The patient referrals are then reviewed by our Adopt-a-Family Subcommittee and matched with a donor.
Being a donor helps patients and their families provide a beautiful holiday celebration. The minimum requirement to adopt a family is to provide gifts from a family's wish list (and please do not feel that all items on the wish list must be purchased).
How the Program Works
Patient Identification: Social workers submit client referrals.
Review & Matching: The EHS Adopt-a-Family Subcommittee reviews referrals and matches each family with a generous donor.
Wish List Fulfillment: Donors receive a family profile and wish list filled with needed items and holiday wishes.
Ways to Get Involved
Whether you choose to sponsor a family yourself, form a group drive, or make a tax-deductible financial donation, every contribution makes a meaningful difference.
1. Adopt a Family as a Donor
As a donor, your minimum requirement is to purchase gifts based on your matched family’s wish list.
Wish List Guidelines: Please keep in mind that you do not need to buy every item on the wish list—every single gift helps make their holiday celebration special!
Gift Condition: All donated gifts should be unwrapped.
Updated Registration Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Register to Adopt a Family Online
2. Make a Monetary Donation
If you cannot adopt a family this year or prefer to support remotely, you can make a tax-deductible cash donation of any amount. Our team will use your gift to purchase the items that families need most.
Donate by Mail: Send a check payable to the EHS Auxiliary Committee using either of our drop-off/mailing addresses listed below.
Gift Drop-Off and Shipping Locations
Purchased gifts or mailed donations can be delivered Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Far Rockaway Location:
EHS Auxiliary Committee
407 Beach 20th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Attention: Lisa SampsonGarden City Location:
People Operations Annex
377 Oak Street, Suite 402, Garden City, NY 11530
Attention: Lisa Sampson, Volunteer Services Manager
Key Deadlines at a Glance
November 1, 2026: Donor Registration Closes
November 20, 2026: Gift Drop-Off and Shipping Closes
If you have questions about filling out the registration form, volunteering, or learning more about the program, please reach out to our subcommittee members Lisa Sampson (Volunteer Services Manager): lsampson@ehs.org | (718) 869-7870 or (516) 923-0107
Thank you for your ongoing support and compassion in making this holiday tradition a success for families in need!